Winners in retrospect: Best R&B

TBT to some R&B winners we're still kind of obsessed with.

October 12, 2016

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The Best R&B award winner of 1997 was Blackstreet, the only group amongst the R&B nominees. Blackstreet won over the world that year with their synchronized dancing, matching outfits and, of course, harmonious, heartfelt singing. They grew especially popular in 1997 while serenading the world with their hits, "No Diggity" and "Don't Leave Me." They also graced us with the song, "Fix," which was the result of a hot collab with Ol' Dirty Bastard, Slash and Fishbone. When the EMAs came around, the fans returned the love and Blackstreet bagged the win.

Also nominated for the Best R&B award that year were Toni Braxton, Ginuwine, Michael Jackson and R. Kelly—all greats. Braxton, the only female nominee, was moving people to tears with her song, "Un-break My Heart." R.Kelly's 1997 hit, "I Believe I Can Fly," will live on for generations but despite the song's huge success, he wasn't quite a match for Blackstreet that year. Ginuwine, however, was also deserving of the win. His big hit from that year, "Pony," is one of the most important R&B songs ever (probably a fact). Not to mention, the music video for "Pony" is quintessential, 90s R&B gold. Same goes for Blackstreet's overalls-rich "No Diggity" video.

It definitely makes sense that Blackstreet won this one but major props to Ginuwine and Toni Braxton.